Tesla drive reports - you might need a bib
If you're the type of person who likes to watch "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," Darryl Siry's (Tesla Motors' VP of Sales, Marketing and Service) new post on the Tesla Motors' blog should be right up your alley. The post is a collection of testimonials given by future Roadster owners (i.e., they've got their name on the pre-order list) after being handed the keys to the VP10. 'VP' here standing for Validation Prototype - as if these lucky rich fill-in-the-blanks need validation. OK, OK, the validation is really for the Roadster itself as it undergoes final testing before entering production very soon. In any case, these future owners are raving about how excited they are to take delivery of their electric pocket rocket. That is, until they drove the VP10, whereupon they quickly strapped on a bib to prevent their drooling mouths from staining the upholstery or their clothes.
We've heard about the Tesla's numbers through the slurred speech of California's Austrian Governator, and the poorly portrayed enthusiasm of Condoleezza Rice, who has doubtfully driven anything more exciting than a Mercury Sable. Now we have more rave reviews, which make us simultaneously thrilled and ill. Oh well, I guess I'll just wait for the Whitestar.
Click the Read link to turn green - with jealousy.
[Source: Tesla Motore]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dani 12:05PM (10/16/2007)
This is an awesome car, I had to check twice to see if it was really powered by electricity. If only US automakers would jump on these kinds of possibilities. The auto lobbyist are currently trying to fight down the 35 mpg fuel economy standard on the energy bill proposed by the Senate. If you are interested in stopping this from happening you can go to www.energybill2007.org and sign the petition to keep the standards at the current level on the the final bill. And keep making green cool!
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BlackbirdHighway 12:52PM (10/16/2007)
It is a bit much when the reviewers start going on about: Well, it's like one of my Porsches in this way, but then when I compare the acceleration with my Ferrari...
Not too surprising really, the Tesla is certain to attract rich guys who are very into cars. No doubt about it, Tesla has created an pretty amazing car, and these reviewers aren't even experiencing the rush of accelerating in first gear.
Still, makes me think I should be in a more lucrative line of business.
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Marcus 2:09PM (10/16/2007)
Let's see - Shane doesn't seem to like Schwarzenegger, and the ridiculous ad hominem prattle about Rice seems to indicate that he doesn't like her either. Gee, I wonder why?
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UH2L 2:06PM (10/16/2007)
Let's see how it fares with respect to reliability/durability and safety. I have my doubts.
Also, if this was really supposed to be an environmentally friendly vehicle, the focus would be on efficiency and not Ferrari or Porsche like acceleration.
Tesla is the darling of the media, but they haven't proven anything in production yet. Developing and manufacturing safe, reliable vehicles consistently is not a simple task. Just ask some of the Chinese companies.
The Tesla vehicle sure does look sweet though.
Atul
http://www.thingsivenoticed.com
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why not the LS2/LS7? 2:10PM (10/16/2007)
Motorcycle. That's the operative word.
Dr. Kayyem mentions it, and it's evoked in the 2nd one by Alice's Restaurant and the section of Skyline from there to 9.
It was bad enough to frame EVs as golf carts. But now I have to ask, please stop framing (and making) EVs as motorcycles. Motorcycles have been around a long time and they are in no danger of impacting ICE car sales because they're essentially just toys.
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Keith Wakeham 4:00PM (10/16/2007)
UH2L, GM proved induction motor reliability with EV1/impact, plus its been in industrial use for years, cooling requirements are significantly lower than an equivalent ICE so they are fine their, and they recently did the impact tests and it survived front, rear, and side with flying colours (because its a highly engineered lotus elise chassis {with modifications} underneath). So have they proved anything? Ya, they have, manufacture is taking place in UK and battery has been approved for shipment in and out of car.
The drivetrain is more reliable and maintence free than any ICE, the body and chassis is aluminum and composites so no rust, and it just did the safety thing. Need I say more?
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spdracerut 9:01AM (10/17/2007)
"Also, if this was really supposed to be an environmentally friendly vehicle, the focus would be on efficiency and not Ferrari or Porsche like acceleration."
Not everyone wants to drive something slow and boring. You're suggesting that the owners should just drive their Ferraris with 10mpg instead?
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Dani 12:10PM (10/17/2007)
I just came back to follow-up and noticed that my link didn't work so I just read the instructions and I needed to add the http://, so let me try again: http://www.energybill2007.org
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UH2L 2:42PM (10/17/2007)
Keith,
I didn't know about the crash tests, but (all) convertibles are inherently less safe when a high-bumpered SUV t-bones you. As for reliability and durability, testing is one thing. Real world reliability and safety in extreme weather conditions, vibration and other driver abuse is another. And who knows how comprehensive their test specs are? I've seen it vary widely in my work as an automotive reliability engineer. If testing was always sufficient, no company would ever have a recall. Electric powertrain simplicity is an asset in this respect though. I'm not saying what they have done isn't impressive thus far. You just can't count your chickens until you've truly proven yourself in the market.
Spdracerut,
I didn't realize this vehicle was a replacement for an exotic sports car. I always thought they were targeting green buyers. Nothing wrong with performance, but the efficiency could have been emphasized. Perhaps two versions would be perfect. An eco version and a performance version. It would be interesting to see which sold more.
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Kardax 3:49PM (10/17/2007)
UH2L: There is no need for separate versions of the Tesla Roadster. Its 0-60 acceleration is in the close to a Porsche Carrera GT and it's energy efficiency is better than a Toyota Prius. All in the same car.
Tesla describes it as a sports car with no compromises, which isn't exactly true but it's definitely without equal :)
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